Parks & Recreation

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL BE PERMITTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS MEETING by teleconference by calling 1-301-715-8592 and entering Meeting ID number: 884 3105 7820 Passcode: 674417 or by visiting Join Zoom Meeting at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88431057820?pwd=ZUh2ZEVMVUkrOTBaeXRPV3hHMjBCZz09 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Large Conference Room, Smyrna Town Hall 27 S. Market Street Plaza, Smyrna, Delaware February, 15 2022 – 5:00 PM Agenda 1. Call to order 5:01 p.m. – by Vice-Chairman, Councilman Gerald Brown In person attendance – Chairwoman, Councilwoman, Tabi Gott, Vice-Chairman, Councilman Gerald Brown, Mike Pearson, and staff liaison Danielle Pope In Zoom attendance – Frederick Schaber, Darryl Bowen Mayor Johnson joined around 5:32p Larry Scott joined around 5:43p 2. Minutes from 1/18 First motion of approval by Vice-Chairman, Gerald Brown. Second motion by Frederick Schaber 3. Recognition of visitors Lorraine – she was muted for most of the meeting before leaving about halfway through 4. Discussion about 2021’s Accomplishments • Survey layout and finished basketball courts at Green Meadows and Sunnyside Parks o Grand opening of the basketball courts • Smyrna at Night 2021 & Concert Series • Halloween event at SPD • Veterans’ Day event • Christmas event and light parade • Recycle Smyrna Red o Transitioned from Eco Plastics to DSWA  o Recycle collection that was sorted at PW brought many in the community together for a common goal/cause • 5k for You Dance • Art trailer – discussed it. It is a trailer at the Boys and Girls Clubs. The Boy Scouts use it, and it has been suggested to move it and use it for a graffiti art wall. o Idea is to have interested people purchase a $5 ticket, paint all year, and funds go back to the Boy Scouts • Discussed getting a rep from the School District to join the Parks & Rec meetings; still pending accomplishment • Mailbox for the Fire House and Police Department, to encourage the community to drop off cards to thank them • RecDesk software and park reservation fees Side topics Vice-Chairman Gerald Brown mentioned GCW bathrooms. Chairwoman Tabi Got said that her, Jason, and Andrew will be meeting to discuss the layout about this. Add a splash pad to or around it? Vice-Chairman Gerald Brown said that there is a concern about the Master Parks Plan survey. There is no mention of a dog park and splash pad. He also mentioned that we have to focus on projects and not build the plate too full so that promises are not fulfilled. This is for 2022 accomplishments. The announcement of the 3/12 meeting is an issue with Council. Where does the P&R committee fit in with this? Vice-Chairman Gerald Brown said we can give suggestions. Vice-Chairman Gerald Brown asked if the Veterans’ Day event is a P&R event or not. Chairwoman Tabi Gott said that according to what she’s been told, that since it brings the community together, it’s labeled as a function of P&R Chairwoman Tabi Gott said that the committee has no say in how money is distributed, like for the skate park. That is determined by Council. Frederick Schaber said there is limited knowledge on what the committee can give back to the community when it comes to what the Master Parks Plan offers. Chairwoman Tabi Gott said the schools had a designed a dog park contest and it was presented, but nothing has been approved and people took to FB to complain about it. Vice-Chairman Gerald Brown said we do not have a technical budget. The parks and recreation line item in the Budget is a subcategory of Public Works’ budget, not the P&R committee. He used one of Chairwoman Gott’s examples, walking club. How do  people get involved? We’re P&R what can we do and what are our goals? If there are issues with the MPP it needs to be addressed by Town Staff and the Steering Committee. Chairwoman Tabi Gott said there is a fine line between Parks & Rec Committee and Steering Committee, but we have no idea what the community wants. 5. Discussion about 2022’s Goals • Vice-Chairman Gerald Brown would like to come back in March to further discuss • Chairwoman Tabi Gott asked the members to get a detailed list together • Vice-Chairman Gerald Brown would like to utilize the 4th of July Committee and work together with them on different events • Vice-Chairman Gerald Brown would like to include the splash pad and dog park to the 10-year plan/Master Parks Plan • Chairwoman Tabi Gott believes the matching $125k grant for the George C. Wright Jr. Municipal Park bathrooms’ will require additional funding, but she’s not sure where that will come from; more grants, donations? • Where do we stand with the moving of the Boy Scouts trailer? o Danielle was asked to follow up with the Town Manager • GB said we need to get together with other community groups. • Work on getting money for projects. • Chairwoman Tabi Gott said we need to avoid grants for the same things. She would like to see more offered. Side topic Vice-Chairman Gerald Brown talked about how a while ago schools were going to be opening up again for public activities and we can utilize their facilities for programs. Only issue is we do not know what local leagues are offering so that P&R can get programs going. 6. 2022 Planned Events • Smyrna at Night, Saturday June 18 • First Fridays, May through September • Police Department’s Halloween event in October • Police Department’s Christmas in Smyrna in December o Light parade • Police Department’s National Night Out • help with 5Ks • Get the Art paint trailer completed • foster a relationship with Little League, Little Lass, Pop Warner, School District, and other local leagues and get them involved with the P&R Committee  • get Roger Holt from the School District to discuss with us on what the schools are doing to enhance the creativity of kids in the community. • Another mailbox for the Fire House and Police Department • Frisbee at Sunnyside • Beach volleyball at Lake Como a couple nights during the summer • Walking clubs – something downtown or at the parks • Yoga in the park – we can help organize it • Help organize a book club that meeting every 2 weeks • GB said we have to focus on what we can accomplish • Veterans’ Day 11/29 at the Opera House • Youth engagement day at the Opera House – getting businesses/programs Vice-Chairman Gerald Brown advised that we have to focus on what we can accomplish. He also asked when the Mater Parks Plan meeting was in March. Chairwoman Tabi Gott said on Saturday the 12th. Vice-Chairman Gerald Brown said that we should discuss the youth engagement event after that, maybe at our April meeting. 7. Discussion on the Parks Master Plan Tour with LKLA Danielle Pope asked if everyone received contractor LKLA Jim’s email about the questionnaire since there was a lot of discussion and confusion about it and the 3/12 meeting. Frederick Schaber said he did not receive it. Vice-Chairman Gerald Brown made a recommendation that Council should review anything that goes out to the public regarding the Master Parks Plan. o First motion made by Mike Pearson. Second motion made by Frederick Schaber 8. Recycling Project Chairwoman Tabi Gott and Danielle met with WM and DSWA on Friday, 2/11, about recycling. Our contamination percentage is high. The problem could be that both trash and recycling are collected on the same day. Some ideas to get more information out are get the children more involved through color sheet, writing, small play, etc. Work with the schools to get info out to families. It was discussed that 5000 stickers will be provided by DSWA. It will be up to the Town and Waste Manager on how to distribute them to residents. Vice-Chairman Gerald Brown said that this will also go to Utility Committee. Chairwoman Tabi Gott Danielle to provide Vice-Chairman Gerald Brown the 2/11 meeting notes. 9. Other committee business Frederick Schaber mentioned that there are organizations doing some of the things that were mentioned for 2022 goals, like the book club, and would like to invite them to participate in the P&R Committee meetings. Chairwoman Tabi Gott said that she hopes they’ll respond to invites when they are sent. In the last 6 months or so, she’s probably reached out to 50-60 different groups but no one seems to have the time to join/interact with the P&R Committee. Vice-Chairman Gerald Brown reminded everyone that we are a committee who can only make recommendations. He also said that if we can be of help to the 4th of July Association, they can be of help to us. Larry Scott said we have these miscommunication issues because we don’t have a singular place where the clubs and leagues can meet or use. If we had a facility, it may be better. Chairwoman Tabi Gott said a facility is not in the works to be build, but even still, it’s hard to get people involved. She went on to talk about how much of a difference it was to be out and about talking to people and that the biggest difference she felt was during the Summer Concerts when she went over to the skate park and the basketball courts and talked with the kids/adults. Chairwoman Tabi Gott would like to get something on the books for our next meeting. Vice-Chairman Gerald Brown said our next meeting should be for discussing the 3/12 Master Parks Plan public meeting and April’s meeting should be about youth engagement. Chairwoman Tabi Gott said that the youth engagement would be at the Opera House. She asked if he meant the Family Fun Day. Vice-Chairman Gerald Brown said it’s all about the cost of things. Chairwoman Tabi Gott said she wants to engage the whole community, which is why she suggested events at the other parks. Vice-Chairman Gerald Brown said that others need to get financially involved, like representatives, congress people, etc. Does that also mean increasing the utility bills to get more funding?  Darrly Bowen asked how we bring this to the table. How do we include something like a facility building? Chairwoman Tabi Gott said the MPP doesn’t recognize a recreational building. Danielle Pope said that she will resent the Master Parks Plan flyer to the committee and let them know that the George C. Wright bathroom grant was signed and delivered just before the meeting, therefore we can move forward. Chairwoman Tabi Gott said that the next meeting with be Tuesday March 15, 5 p.m. 10. Adjournment 6:35 p.m. First motion by Vice-Chairman Gerald Brown. Second motion by Mike Pearson. Posted 02/08/22 at 4:30 PM (#1) NOTE: This agenda as listed may not be considered in sequence. This agenda is subject to change to include additional items, including Executive Sessions, and/or deletion of items, including Executive Sessions that arise at time of meeting.